SMOKING is the main reason why on average men die earlier than women across Europe, researchers have found.

World Health Organisation data on death rates reveals tobacco-related illness accounts for up to 60% of the gender health gap in most countries.

Alcohol accounts for about 20% of the disparity, the research published in the journal Tobacco Control found.

In Wales the life expectancy gap between men and women is four years – men can expect to live to 77; women to 81.4 years.

When the researchers looked at what had contributed to the deaths, they found smoking was behind 40% to 60% of the gender gap in most countries.

Sergeant praised for river rescue

A POLICE sergeant has been praised for his bravery after diving into a fast-flowing river at night to save a drowning woman in Haverfordwest.

Rhys Evans and fellow officers were called to the River Cleddau near County Hall early on Sunday.

The 19-year-old woman had fallen down a weir and was being dragged down river when he swam out to rescue her.

Chief Supt Dean Richards said that without the officer’s bravery the woman would probably have drowned.

The alarm was raised at 1.55am.

When officers reached the scene the woman had disappeared under the surface of the water after falling down the weir. When she resurfaced police said she was dragged by strong currents around 350 metres down river on her back.

Officers ran along a footpath and threw lifelines but she was unable to reach them.

Sgt Evans said: “As the female approached the Freemans Way Bridge I realised if she continued down the river it would become impossible to follow her from the river bank and she would most likely drown.

“So I entered the water and swam across to her. I managed to take hold of her and swim to the opposite bank.”